Bristol Rugby captain Iain Grieve steps up training as he battles back from torn bicep

BRISTOL skipper Iain Grieve has stepped up his training as he bids to overcome a torn bicep – and is on target to return to action next month.

The 25-year-old club captain injured his left arm in Bristol’s British & Irish Cup win over Bridgend in December and was ruled out for three months.

He recently started running again and is desperate to return to action as Bristol chase a Championship play-off spot and glory in the British & Irish Cup.

And the back-rower could still have a key say in Bristol’s season as he closes in on a March return.

“In the last couple of weeks, I have started doing a bit more training – including running – and everything seems to be going OK,” said Grieve.

“It’s just a case of building up the bicep again – and I have gone from having a really saggy arm to having a little bit more shape. My T-shirts are starting to get a bit tighter around the arm, so that’s good!

“But there’s still a lot of things I can’t do, in terms of free weights and things like that. It’s a case of gradually building up the tendon and the muscle, because it has basically been cut out and then reattached.”

The injury Grieve suffered was not one for those of a squeamish nature, although he now talks about it in a very matter-of-fact fashion.

“I tore the bicep tendon where it is attached to the forearm – it completely ruptured and completely came away,” he said. “(Prop) Gaston (Cortes) had just gone off injured and I couldn’t lift my arm, but I thought, ‘I can’t go off as well’.

“There was a 12-week time-scale put on it and so far, so good. The target is to get back within that time-frame, although with any injury there’s a chance you could be ahead of schedule or a little bit behind.

“I’ve still got a little way to go, but the arm is feeling a lot better, and I’ve got around a month and a half to go. I’m pretty much halfway through but obviously I’m hopeful I can come back a bit early.”

Whenever Grieve does return, he envisages a tough battle to regain his place in the Bristol side.

Marco Mama, Redford Pennycook and Mitch Eadie have all performed well in recent weeks, while Alafoti Faosiliva and James Merriman are also waiting in the wings.

“It’s going to be a struggle to get back into the team,” said Grieve. “A lot of guys are putting their hands up for selection now and it’s a good headache for Liam (Middleton, head coach) and a bit of a nightmare for me!

“But I’m the type of person who likes to earn his place in the team – I enjoy that challenge – and hopefully I can do that when I come back. Once I’m fit, it will be a case of trying to prove myself again.”

Bristol, who did not play at the weekend, travel to Moseley on Saturday. Middleton’s side lost their place in the top four as Leeds won their rearranged fixture against Plymouth.